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If you have difficulty seeing, then understanding the contributing factors is key to getting the right treatment for your needs. At Nielsen Eye Center, our expert team can help you understand the different vision disorders and the appropriate steps toward clearer vision.
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Sometimes called nearsightedness, myopia is a common vision disorder where the eye is too long or the cornea is too curved. It causes far-off vision to be blurry because instead of light focusing on the retina, it focuses in front of it. Myopia is often hereditary and manifests at a young age (around 8-12 years old) before stabilizing in adulthood. It can continue to worsen as you age.
Myopia is often diagnosed in children because they can no longer see the whiteboard or television at school. It may be accompanied by a negative impact on their academic performance. Glasses or contact lenses are typically used to treat myopia in children, but permanent surgical options (such as LASIK) are excellent options for adults with nearsightedness.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a condition where close-up vision appears blurry. It’s caused by the cornea being too flat, causing light to focus beyond the retina. Unlike presbyopia, this condition can be a life-long occurrence for people who have it. It can occur alongside myopia, requiring advanced treatment.
Farsightedness can be corrected with reading glasses or contact lenses, but it’s often recommended that older adults treat it with surgical options like refractive lens exchange which can both accommodate multifocal needs and eliminate the need for cataract surgery in the future.
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Real patients. Real reviews.
YOUR VISION IS OUR MISSION
Extremely nice and professional staff.
Real patients. Real reviews.
YOUR VISION IS OUR MISSION
I will say that the actual procedures on both my eyes went extremely well and Dr. Nielsen was outstanding including my follow ups the day following the procedures. My eye sight has improved a lot and I can now read my cell phone and computer without glasses
Real patients. Real reviews.
YOUR VISION IS OUR MISSION
Dr. Khanna is awesome….very thorough and reassuring. Very knowledgeable …. answers all your questions. Would highly recommend Dr. Khanna.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a vision disorder where you have difficulty focusing on up-close objects. Although similar to hyperopia, this condition is specifically caused by a hardening of the natural lens of the eye at around 40 years old. People with presbyopia may find that they need to hold objects far away from them to be able to see them, and they may experience headaches when looking at near objects or have difficulty switching visual focus from near to far.
Although reading glasses or contact lenses are common treatments for presbyopia, procedures like LASIK or refractive lens exchange are often the best option for this vision problem, producing long-term results.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a vision disorder that often occurs alongside myopia or hyperopia. It occurs because the cornea is elongated and curved more in one direction than the other. The result is that light focuses in more than one place on the retina, causing vision to become blurry and even distorted at all distances. It can also cause difficulty switching focus from near to far, similar to presbyopia.
Glasses and contacts are often able to be prescribed specifically for astigmatism, but procedures like LASIK can surgically reduce or eliminate it with long-term results.
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If you’re having trouble seeing clearly, our expert team can help. During an appointment, we can perform a vision test and diagnose your specific vision disorder. We offer a variety of treatment options, from surgical to non-surgical, and can discuss your best options. Contact our Quincy, MA locations today by calling or filling out our online form.
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Our team of eye doctors includes some of the foremost experts in laser vision correction and eye surgery in the greater Boston area. We look forward to helping you maintain healthy and clear vision for years to come. Learn more about our leading providers and the high level of service you can expect at the Nielsen Eye Center.
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LOCATIONS NEAR BOSTON, MA
Schedule your appointment today at one of our four convenient offices situated on the South Shore. Serving the greater Boston area, our locations in Quincy, Weymouth, Norwell, and Norwood are here to provide exceptional eye care tailored to your needs.
Steven Nielsen, M.D.
Since 1991, Dr. Steven A. Nielsen has performed over 25,000 successful laser procedures, leveraging the latest advancements in eye surgery. Dr. Nielsen earned his medical degree from the University of Southern California and completed his residency at the Doheny Eye Institute. He serves as the President of Nielsen Eye Center and the Medical Director of both the Cataract and Laser Center and the Quincy Laser Eye Center.
Helen Moreira, M.D.
As a partner and co-owner with Dr. Nielsen, Dr. Helen Moreira tailors solutions to each patient’s unique needs. Dr. Moreira has successfully performed thousands of procedures, including LASIK, refractive cataract surgery, glaucoma treatments, and eyelid surgeries. She completed her Ophthalmology residency at Brown University, graduated from Mount Holyoke College, and earned her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Nitasha Khanna, M.D.
Dr. Khanna, a board-certified and fellowship-trained LASIK, cataract, and cornea surgeon at Nielsen Eye Center, specializes in advanced dry eye and external disease. Dr. Khanna graduated from the prestigious BA/MD program at Temple University and Lewis Katz School of Medicine. She completed her internship at Pennsylvania Hospital, her Ophthalmology residency at Brown University, and a Cornea and External Disease fellowship at the University of Maryland.
Shobha Topgi, M.D.
Dr. Shobha Topgi, MD, a retina specialist and cataract surgeon at Nielsen Eye Center, is dedicated to delivering optimal visual outcomes through technical expertise and patient-focused care. She earned her undergraduate degree from Miami University of Ohio and her medical degree from Rush Medical College at Rush University in Chicago. Dr. Topgi specializes in retinal and vitreous diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal inflammatory diseases, and advanced cataract surgery.
Lily Ng, O.D.
Dr. Lily Ng is a certified optometrist specializing in corneal disease and contact lens fittings for conditions such as astigmatism, multifocal lenses, post-trauma, post-surgical, and corneal ectasias. A Quincy native, Dr. Ng earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry. She gained experience at the Bedford and Florida VA Hospitals, East and South Boston Community Health Center, and Global Vision Rehabilitation Center in Miami.
